Nirav Modi's escape puts limelight on Western Europe, North America, Gulf again

NEW DELHI: The Nirav Modi case has once again highlighted how ‘fraudsters, scamsters and terrorists’ often find it convenient to take refuge in Western Europe, North America and the Gulf due to easy residency laws, liberal tax structures and political asylum rules.

Members of the Indian community in Belgium, who did not wish to be identified, indicated to ET that Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi were planning to flee India and preparing documents for the purpose since two years. It is understood that they have acquired a slew of properties in the Gulf region. It may be recalled that Belgium had twice sent back Indian nationals involved in criminal activities.

If a fugitive has taken refuge in countries where capital punishment is banned, extradition is generally refused. Abu Salem was extradited to India from Portugal on the grounds that he will not be granted capital punishment. The UK, where several Indian fugitives have taken refuge, has rules that legally protect a person entering its territory. Any wealthy person, otherwise a fugitive, is not deported due to the wealth that he or she brings to that country.

India has extradition treaties with 47 countries. As many as 62 terrorists and other fugitives were extradited to India from the UAE, the US, Nigeria, Germany, Canada, etc between February 2002 and December 2016.